SUNDAY: Local LGBT leaders to be thrown in the "slammer" for charity

SAN DIEGO -- A group of 11 LGBT community leaders will be thrown in the “slammer” - by choice - as part of the first “Jailed at The Rail” fundraiser to be held Sunday at The Brass Rail in Hillcrest.

The event is being organized by local businessman and community activist Bo Andras as a creative way to raise money for 12 local charities.

Andras, who is the owner and creator of The Pride Card, said he came up with the idea for “Jailed at The Rail” as he was driving to The Brass Rail one day to meet with the club manager about a monthly event he hosts at the bar.

“I thought it would make for a great benefit for our local nonprofits if we did a spin-off of the old MS Jail-A-Thon’s held in the 1990s,” Andras said.

Many of the 12 participants, who were selected individually by the beneficiary organizations, have been blasting their contact lists and social media accounts over the last two weeks trying to sell tickets to the event and solicit additional donations for the cause.

“Bail” has been set at $1,000, so each participant hopes to raise at least that amount for the organization they are representing.

At the event, the 11 participants will be placed in a jailed off area from noon to 5 pm. Those who attend the event will be able to view the “inmates” and pledge additional donations towards the organization of their choice.

Event hosts will update attendees every hour on the bail amounts pledged and inmates will be able to update their social media accounts while “incarcerated” to encourage their followers to pledge or come to the event.

The event will also include free pizza, $2 shooters, raffle prize, and music by DJ Marcel Hetu. Miss Sin City US of A 2011 Justice Paige Counce will serve as the raffle host and Big Mike will be the guest bartender.

Members of the Stonewall Citizens Patrol will serve as the “prison guards” and will also be selling raffle tickets. Proceeds from the “shooters” will benefit the patrol.

Participating “inmates” and the organizations they are representing are:

The San Diego LGBT Community Center: Aaron Heier

Family Matters: Frank Jones

Home Start: Dr. Tim Shannahan

Imperial Court de San Diego: Emperor Allan Spyere

GSGRA: Kelly Gilliland

San Diego Leather Pride: Anthony Rollar

Special Delivery: Glitz Glam

Christie's Place: Ian Johnson

San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus: Benny Cartwright

University of San Diego Pride Club: Joseph Rocha

Family Health Centers of San Diego: Ronnie Kerr

More information about the beneficiary organizations, participating inmates, and ticket and donation information is available online.